Nickelson Family Essay Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by California Freethought Day

Description

The Nickelson Family Scholarship, administered by California Freethought Day, awards a scholarship to a recent graduate of a California public high school. The award celebrates writing that explores the theme "Good without God" and supports students who value free speech, science, and the separation of church and state. Submissions must be original essays submitted online and cannot contain any generative AI content. The family funds the scholarship and directly reviews entries to select the recipient.

- Scholarship created and funded by the Nickelson Family, administered by California Freethought Day
- Essay theme: “Good without God”
- Online submission only; generative AI content prohibited
- Focus on values: free speech, science, separation of church and state

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to recent graduates of California public high schools who plan to pursue or are currently pursuing postsecondary education at a community college, four-year college, trade school, or vocational school. Applicants must have graduated in the current calendar year from a California public high school and demonstrate interest in the scholarship’s core topics. Certain people are ineligible: current California Freethought Day board/committee members, agents, Nickelson Family members, and their immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, children). Only one entry per person is allowed.

- Must be a graduate of a California public high school in the current calendar year
- Must plan to pursue or already be pursuing postsecondary education
- Interest in free speech, science, and separation of church and state expected
- Ineligible: California Freethought Day staff/agents, Nickelson Family, and immediate family members
- Limit: one submission per person

Essay Requirements

Essays must be 300–700 words and address the prompt “Good without God.” All material must be wholly original and previously unpublished. Use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to create or assist the submission is prohibited; entries will be prescreened and any work flagged as AI-generated will be disqualified. Obscene, pornographic, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable material will also be rejected.

- Length: 300–700 words
- Topic: “Good without God”
- Must be original, unpublished work
- GenAI-created or -assisted submissions are banned and will be disqualified
- Objectionable content will be rejected

How to Apply

After completing your essay, submit it online by pasting your text into the entry form on the scholarship page. Follow the form instructions carefully; physical submissions are not accepted and will not be returned. Make sure you meet eligibility requirements before submitting, and confirm you have only one entry in the pool.

- Submit by pasting your essay into the online entry form
- No physical submissions; they will not be returned
- Verify eligibility and one-entry limit before submitting

Judging & Selection

Members of the Nickelson Family review all eligible submissions shortly after the deadline and select the winner. Judging criteria emphasize originality, creativity, and writing quality, with an appreciation for truthfulness, edginess, humor, and work that challenges norms. The judges’ decision is final. The chosen winner will be notified by email in early August and must respond within seven calendar days to claim the prize.

- Reviewed and decided by the Nickelson Family
- Evaluation based on originality, creativity, and writing quality
- Values include truth, edginess, and humor
- Winner notified by email in early August; 7 days to claim prize
- Judges’ decision is final

Award Value & Tax Information

The scholarship awards a minimum of $2,500 to the recipient, paid by check to be used toward postsecondary education expenses. California Freethought Day will not issue a 1099-MISC for the award; however, winners may still be responsible for reporting the funds as income and are advised to consult a tax professional or IRS guidance. The organization disclaims responsibility for any tax consequences and recommends recipients seek appropriate tax advice.

- Minimum prize: $2,500 (paid by check for education expenses)
- No 1099-MISC will be issued by California Freethought Day
- Winners may need to report the award; consult a tax professional or IRS resources

Timeline

While exact application deadlines are posted on the scholarship page, the typical process follows these steps: write and submit your essay, entries are prescreened for eligibility and AI, the Nickelson Family reviews eligible submissions, and the winner is announced in early August. The scholarship winner may be invited to attend California Freethought Day in October in Sacramento. Expect the prescreening and judging phases to occur shortly after the submission deadline.

- Steps: write → submit → prescreen (including AI check) → judge → notify
- Winner announcement: early August (typical)
- Possible invitation to California Freethought Day in October (Sacramento)

Additional Rules, Rights & Legal Conditions

Applicants must warrant that their submissions are original, do not infringe third-party rights, and comply with all laws and the scholarship rules; applicants agree to indemnify California Freethought Day for breaches of these warranties. By applying, entrants (or a parent/guardian if a minor) grant California Freethought Day a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute the submitted material for educational or promotional purposes, with the option for the entrant to terminate the license after five years by written notice. The organization may prescreen and disqualify entries (including for AI use), and retains no obligation to exploit or continue using any winning submission.

- Applicants warrant originality and legal compliance and agree to indemnify California Freethought Day for breaches
- Grant of worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to California Freethought Day, with termination rights after five years via written notice
- Entries prescreened; disqualification possible for AI use or other rule violations
- No obligation for California Freethought Day to use or continue using winning submissions

Winner Obligations & Event Participation

The scholarship recipient will receive notification and a check for education expenses and may be invited—though not required—to attend California Freethought Day in October in Sacramento. If attending, the winner is responsible for travel and lodging and must follow the event Code of Conduct. California Freethought Day may request that the winner record a video reciting and reflecting on their submission for use in promotions and events; consent to use of name, voice, and likeness is part of the application terms.

- Winner invited (optional) to attend California Freethought Day in October (Sacramento)
- Travel and lodging costs are the winner’s responsibility if they choose to attend
- Winner may be asked to provide a promotional video; applicant consents to name/likeness use upon submission

Acceptance of Rules

Submission of an application constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these official rules and the decisions of California Freethought Day. The organization assumes no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected, or unintelligible entries. By submitting, applicants agree to the scholarship’s terms and any decisions made by the organizers.

- Submitting equals acceptance of all official rules and organizer decisions
- California Freethought Day is not responsible for lost or misdirected entries
- Applicants must comply fully with all stated terms to remain eligible

For exact deadlines, the online entry form, and current application instructions, visit the California Freethought Day scholarship page.